Debt-to-income ratio calculator
Your debt-to-income ratio compares your monthly debt repayments with your gross monthly income. It is a simple way to gauge how much of your income is committed to debt. This is a general measure, not an eligibility or affordability assessment.
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Your figures
IllustrativeThis is a simple ratio for general guidance only. It is not a lending decision, an affordability check or financial advice. Lenders use their own, more detailed assessments. Nothing you enter is stored or transmitted.
What the ratio means
The debt-to-income ratio (sometimes shortened to DTI) is your total monthly debt repayments divided by your gross monthly income, shown as a percentage. If you repay £780 a month towards debts and earn £2,600 a month before tax, your ratio is 30%. There is no single official threshold in the UK, but these broad bands are a useful starting point:
| Ratio | Broad interpretation |
|---|---|
| Below 20% | A small share of income goes to debt. Often considered comfortable. |
| 20%–35% | Generally viewed as manageable for many households. |
| 36%–49% | A large share of income is committed to debt. Worth reviewing carefully. |
| 50% and above | A very high share. This level can be hard to sustain; free debt advice may help. |
These are rules of thumb, not lending rules. What is affordable depends on the rest of your budget, your rent or mortgage, bills, childcare, and everyday spending, not the ratio alone.
How it relates to debt consolidation
A high ratio does not automatically mean consolidation is the answer, and a low one does not mean borrowing more is wise. Consolidation changes how you repay, not how much you fundamentally owe. If your ratio is high because of the total you owe rather than the structure of your debts, free debt advice may open up options that new borrowing would not.
If the figure worries you
Free, confidential debt advice is available from MoneyHelper, StepChange and Citizens Advice. There is no charge and no obligation.